A Group 10th May - Notes for Pilgrims

The weather prognosis continues dry, so the probability is that we will be able to ride the entire Pilgrims' Way.  Paul Kelly and I looked at a potentially muddy stretch today, and it was as dry as dust.  I'll check again before we start.

Here's the route:

The bits marked in red are the sections of trackway; the rest is tarmac surfaced country lanes.  The surface of the trackway varies, but is nowhere very rough.  It does take some skill in places, as the best course for a bike may be narrow, but it's all entirely do-able on a normal touring bike.  The route is just over 60 miles from Caterham; about 15 miles are trackway.

If you're coming to Caterham over Farthing Downs it's worth spending a few minutes at Chaldon Church looking at the strange and wonderful 11th century wall painting.  The church is open from 1000.

We'll leave Caterham at 1100, and go through Woldingham to reach the Pilgrims' Way at Titsey.  It's mostly tarmac to lunch, with a couple of miles of track as we approach Wrotham.  Lunch will be at the Rose and Crown, Wrotham, and Dave Vine will lead a party back from there, for those that want a normal Wednesday ride.

From Wrotham the rest of the pilgrims will continue along the Pilgrims' Way to Halling, where we will cross the Medway over a fine new bridge, very near to the ancient ferry crossing which last operated in the 1960s.  We'll continue to Lenham, where we'll take tea at Pippa's Tea Rooms.  There are trains from Lenham to Victoria and there is an hourly service from Headcorn - about six miles South - back to Redhill and on to Dorking.

Leaving Lenham we'll go over the hill towards Canterbury using country lanes, and will pick up the very pretty cycleway into the City itself at Chartham.  We'll stop in Sun Street for photographs, and then adjourn for refreshment.

It has always been a popular spot for cyclists - here's Tommy Godwin in Sun Street on his record-breaking ride in 1939 - as you'll see, Mike Morley is behind him, wearing one of his hats.

I'll be staying overnight in Canterbury, heading back the next day.  I've booked in to the Premier Inn, which is modestly priced and has a good bike policy - you can keep your bike in your room.

There are two stations in Canterbury, East and West, and here are trains departing at about 1900.

The trains have bicycle spaces, the number depends on the length of the train.  I've no idea how fussy they are, and I have never had a problem, but spreading ourselves between trains can't do any harm.

Fingers crossed for a sunny (or at least dry) day!

Mark

ps - perhaps uniquely for a Wayfarers ride, there is a badge:

£4.50, from E-Bay.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canterbury-City-Pilgrims-Way-Kent-County-Crest-Small-Pin-Badge-0971-/380662104776?hash=item58a13ac2c8:g:aXkAAMXQHU1RwFRL